Road Test: 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE

The latest Camry got more than just a facelift. We took it for a spin.

The latest 2012 Camry Hybrid isn't just an update to the line; with changes to nearly every aspect of the car and driving experience, it's more like a complete overhaul. The most notable developments since we tested the 2011 version: better fuel economy, the Entune infotainment system, and several driving improvements. Plus, with its roomy interior and comfortable ride, this Camry has plenty to offer beyond its great gas mileage.

Performance

The 2012 Camry is a great car to drive. It floated over potholes, but the hybrid trades in sporty handling for a smoother ride, giving it a bit of a big-car feel. Acceleration in the hybrid was superb, though you might notice a slight delay after you press down the pedal. Even with the extra power, the Camry Hybrid still returns an EPA-estimated 40 mpg city/38 mpg highway. (I averaged 38mpg though mixed driving.) Braking is polished for a hybrid, but again, if this is your first hybrid, it's an initially artificial, and occasionally abrupt feeling that takes some getting used to.

The engine's nearly imperceptible transitions between electric and gas modes are impressive. The Camry is surprisingly willing to drive on all-electric power too. (I went almost a mile in EV mode around town in 30mph traffic.) The effortless electric power steering is so smooth you could nearly steer with your pinky. While this is great at low speeds around a parking lot, this was also my only real complaint with the Camry  the steering is so easy that it almost feels mushy and artificial (like driving in an arcade game). I found myself not as in-tune with the road as I should have been, and it was the sheer lack of feeling to blame. You almost forget the steering wheel is affecting the trajectory of the car, and snapping back to center the way you're used to. I imagine this would take more time than I spent with the car to get used to.

Technology

Toyota's Entune system is a whole new infotainment package, adding features and apps like Pandora, OpenTable, and Bing for added convenience. As with any increase in features comes complexity; while Entune is among the better infotainment systems I've seen, it's hard to get use to all the options and functionality, and portions of it are best used in the parking lot not the highway. Other aspects, like great voice recognition on the road (an optional feature), improve driving safety by avoiding touch controls altogether. While you can access most settings and apps using the new four-way control on the left side of the steering wheel, there are still occasions when functions like fast forwarding, or tuning to a station aren't as easy as they should be.

If you opt for it, the Camry comes with a rear blind spot monitoring system, which is better calibrated than other systems I've seen that often mistake other objects for "cars." Because it isn't dimmed though, at night I found it can be quite bright and alarming each time a car passes. Visibility is aided by good mirror placement, and an optional backup camera, although the somewhat low placement of the center LCD screen means taking your eyes off the road frequently.

Eco Features

The Camry strives to helps you be more economical through a range of displays and dials to either side of the speedometer, as well as an eco-mode. To the left is a power-meter showing how hard the engine is working (or regenerating during braking) and to the right one of the most detailed (and practical) fuel economy gauges in any vehicle I've seen, combining both instantaneous detail, as well as a running average based on driving trends.

I found the heating/cooling system hard to calibrate though; you'll have to cycle through modes with a knob as opposed to individual selections, and even the low fan speed felt higher than necessary. Additionally, I would have preferred the center vents lower, and the navigation screen higher instead to make it easier to glance at while driving.

Bottom Line: While other Camry models are priced lower, the Hybrid is a great value that pays for itself in reasonably short order. While I felt the steering numbness was complaint-worthy, electric steering/assist is not uncommon in this class, and it appears to be here to stay. Plus, the Camry has more than enough legroom and space practicality too, even if you're hauling around a family's worth of gear. For an incredibly potent, practical package overall, we'd recommend it even more strongly than we praised the last Camry Hybrid.

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